Canada and the Arctic Council
After Finland had taken the initiative of establishing the first circumpolar Arctic cooperation with the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS) in 1991, Canada initiated the follow up with the Arctic Council. The Council was established in Ottawa in 1996 "as a high level forum to provide a means for promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, with the involvement of the Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic; oversee and coordinate the programs established under the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy; adopt terms of reference for and oversee and coordinate a sustainable development program; and disseminate information, encourage education and promote interest in Arctic-related issues". After the first round of chairmanships of each of the 8 Arctic countries, Canada started the second round in 2013, chairing the Arctic Council until 2015.
Year: 2013